Elbow Flexion
- Start Position: Client should be seated in a chair with their arm at their side. The forearm can be in 3 difference positions to test specific muscles.
- Forearm in supination (testing biceps)
- Forearm in pronation (testing brachialis)
- Forearm in neutral (testing brachioradialis)
- Stabilize: Distal end of the humerus. Counter pressure should be applied to front of shoulder when resistance is applied.
- Instruction: “Bend your elbow, and do not let me pull it back.”
- Resistance: Distal end of the forearm and pulls out towards extension.
(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)
Elbow Flexion Gravity Eliminated
- Start Position: Client is in seated position with arm supported by therapist at 90 degrees of abduction and elbow extension.
- Stabilize: Distal humerus.
- Instruction: “Try to bend your elbow.”
- Palpation: Biceps, brachialis, and brachioradialis muscles.
(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)
Elbow Extension
- Start Position: Client is lying faced down while their arm is prone with humerus abducted to 90 degrees. The elbow is flexed slightly while the forearm is hanging over the edge of the table.
- Stabilize: Arm under the anterior surface of the distal humerus.
- Instruction: “Straighten your arm, and do not let me push it back down.”
- Resistance: Applied on dorsal surface of the client’s forearm, pushing toward flexion. Resistance should only be applied when the elbow is between 10-15 degrees less than full extension.
(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)
Elbow Extension Gravity Eliminated
- Start Position: Client’s arm is supported by therapist in 90 degrees of abduction while client is seated. Elbow is fully flexed.
- Stabilize: Humerus.
- Instruction: “Try to straighten your elbow.”
- Palpation: Triceps.
(Gett & Romaniw, 2021)
References
Gett, M., & Romaniw, A. (2021, November 3). Manual muscle testing [PowerPoint slides]. Department of Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Chatham University. https://mylearning.chatham.edu/d2l/le/content/21252/viewContent/299633/View
Occupational Therapy Assessments 